PwC sued by former assistant Christine Campbell in historic harassment case

A former PwC executive assistant claims her boss made unwanted sexual advances towards her when she was employed with the firm in the early 2000s, including buying her lingerie and getting her initials tattooed under his armpit.

PwC has been accused of fostering a ‘boys club’ environment. Picture: Miguel Medina / AFP

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A former PwC executive assistant has accused the consulting firm of fostering a “boys club” workplace culture that allowed her boss to make unwanted sexual advances towards her, including complimenting her breasts, buying her lingerie and getting her initials tattooed under his armpit.

In a sex discrimination case filed with the Federal Court, Christine Campbell alleges her former boss, Geoff Campbell, made unwelcome comments about her “body shape”, would speak to her about his sex life with his wife, and kissed her without consent while she was employed at the firm in the early 2000s.

She claims that, although she eventually married Mr Campbell, his conduct while he was her boss amounted to sexual exploitation by “an older male manager”, which left her feeling “extremely vulnerable, and at times embarrassed, humiliated, upset and sexually objectified”.

“The respondent (PwC) did not undertake reasonable steps to ensure that its senior managers, including Mr Campbell, did not sexually harass younger females, including by maintaining a ‘boys club’ workplace,” Ms Campbell’s Federal Court application reads.

According to the Federal Court claim, Ms Campbell was employed by PwC as an executive assistant in December 2001 when she was 21. She reported directly to Mr Campbell, who was 33, 12 years older than her and a senior manager at the firm.

Ms Campbell alleges Mr Campbell engaged in sexually inappropriate behaviour towards her while she was employed at the firm between 2001 and 2003, including by asking her “regular questions about her sex and romantic life”.

She claims he described her as “pretty” and complimented her dress sense and appearance. He made comments about her “body shape” and said “her legs were driving him crazy”, according to court documents.

At the 2001 PwC Christmas party, Ms Campbell alleges he grabbed the back of her head and started kissing her. Around the same time, she claims, he would sit on the edge of her desk and, without her consent, rub “her left thigh up and down with his hands”.

Ms Campbell claims in December 2001 Mr Campbell would regularly invite her to after-work drinks, and the pair would have sex.

From 2002, she alleges, Mr Campbell would invite her into his office “and without her consent, leaning back into his chair, putting his hands behind his head, looking at his groin” would tell Ms Campbell: “I have got a present for you.”

Mr Campbell would buy Ms Campbell lingerie, she claims. He allegedly kissed her on the lips at an end of financial year party in 2002 in the presence of other employees.

In mid-2002, according to the court application, Mr Campbell showed Ms Campbell “a tattoo of her initials, which he had tattooed under his armpit”. He would invite her on interstate trips “for no operational purpose”, Ms Campbell claims.

Mr Campbell in 2003 promised Ms Campbell to “look after her financially so she could resign” from PwC, according to the claim.

“Despite the applicant (Ms Campbell) from time to time from 2002 having a consensual relationship with Mr Campbell, including eventually marrying Mr Campbell, the applicant maintains that the sexual conduct … was and remains the sexual exploitation of the applicant by an older male manager for which from time to time when the conduct occurred, the applicant felt extremely vulnerable, and at times embarrassed, humiliated, upset and sexually objectified,” the application reads.

Ms Campbell claims Mr Campbell’s conduct was “unwelcome” and occurred “in circumstances where it was a senior male manager and a much younger female employee who reported to him, in an employment relationship context”.

A PwC Australia spokesperson said the firm “is committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace for all staff”.

“As this historical matter is currently before the court, it would not be appropriate to comment further,” the spokesperson said.

The allegations come as the latest controversy to hit the challenged firm, after the tax leaks scandal that centred on the misuse of government information for commercial advantage.

Ms Campbell is seeking compensation, costs, interest and “any other order deemed appropriate by the honourable court”.

The matter is set down for a directions hearing on October 3.